Alvaro F Espinosa

Dr. Alvaro F. Espinosa, age 81, died peacefully on March 11, 2015 in Boulder, Colorado. Born 1933, Barranquilla, Colombia, of Don Eduardo del Carmen Espinosa de los Monteros and Doña Esther Felipa Gerlein y Villate. Alvaro came to the United States in 1953 to attend Saint Louis University. He married Eugenia Claiborne Carver, January 3, 1957. In 1965 he proudly became an American citizen.

He earned a Bachelor's degree in Geophysical Engineering from Saint Louis University's Institute of Technology in 1957 and a Master's degree in Scientific Research in 1963 focusing on Seismology and Mathematics. He also earned a Master's degree in Geology, Geomorphology and Oceanography from Columbia University (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory) and a Ph.D. in Physics from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Spain.

Dr. Espinosa was internationally recognized as one of the world's leading geophysics research scientists. Alvaro worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior, spending most of his career with the U.S. Geological Survey. A prolific researcher, he published and contributed to more than 250 professional publications. His interest in cartography resulted in his production of several hundred maps, including the Seismicity of the Earth Map, combining his love of seismicity and cartographgy. This map was published in the 15th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica and was selected by the Library of Congress to be part of a national traveling exhibit.

Dr. Espinosa taught at a number of institutions, including George Washington University and the Colorado School of Mines. He was a visiting professor at universities in South America, Central America, Europe, Israel and Turkey. Alvaro consulted with the United Nations, the U.S. Department of State, various international agencies such as OAS, US-AID, CERESIS, and with countries such as Argentina, Guatemala, Israel, Spain, Mexico, and others. He was particularly proud of the international "lateral transfer of knowledge" projects which he established that focused on emerging nations.

His accomplishments were recognized by receipt of the Medal of Merit, awarded by President Ronald Reagan. The Universidad de Ingenieria de España in 2007 honored him him with the Jose Garcia-Sineriz Foundation Award. In 2008, Saint Louis University recognized Alvaro with the Alumni Merit Award. The Universidad Politecnica del Ecuador named their scientific library in his honor. Numerous other awards were received from other organizations and countries.

Alvaro enjoyed family gatherings, sharing his passion for photography, sailing and his love of classical music. He served as president of the Washington DC Classical Guitar Society.

Alvaro is survived by his loving wife, Eugenia, their nine children, Rebecca, Alvaro Felipe, John, Edward, Eugenia, James, Martin, Michael, Carlos, his thirteen grandchildren and his sister, Rebeca Adams.

Private family services will be held, and he will be interred in the Sunshine Cemetary. Donations may be made in his memory to TRU Hospice Care Center, Louisville, Colorado.